Our lovable, pragmatic mayor is now officially an independent-- many feel that this is a first step to a third-party run for president. CBS reports: more ›

Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with California Governor Arnold Schwarzengger in the Golden State yesterday, and it was a total love fest. The Governator told reporters:

[Republicans and Democrats in Congress] are frozen. They can’t get anything done in Washington because it’s Democrats against Republicans and Republicans against Democrats, rather than, ‘Let us solve the problems of this country.’ And so this is why I admire him — I admire Mayor Bloomberg. He’s my soul mate. He’s the man.

- And we'll see some of you tonight at Fornino for our pizza party with Slice - bring your appetite! more ›

The Campaign Finance Board's records show that Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields has not reimbursed her government drivers for driving her to campaign events. Newsday points out that Fields hasn't "paid for gas or parking used during those appearances" and that in the past week, only two of her many events were job-related. Fields' campaign manager, Chung Seto, claims that the drivers/city will be reimbursed, but she doesn't know why it's taking so long. Just like she didn't know why the flyer was Photoshopped, eh? Actually, the practice of using a city government car for campaign events is common, as long as the city is reimbursed is common (City Council Speaker had his police detail drive him around). Congressman Anthony Weiner's campaign took the opportunity to say that while he has a congressional car, Weiner uses his own hybrid car to get to campaign events. more ›

The NY Times reports that the Mayor's approval ratings are still on the rise. While his rating is at a stellar (for him) 50%, the NY Times tempers that news by running terrible photograph of him (right) - he looks exactly like a Sleestack! Of course, higher voter approvals can be helped out by sophisticated voter analysis and spending $1 million weekly on TV media. People are giving him credit for paying attention the public schools (though how much credit he should get is under debate), for helping the economy, and housing policies, but others are wary of him after the whole West Side Stadium affair. Gothamist expects the Democratic candidates to continue to refine their messages, with a little more than 10 weeks till the primary (September 13); Fernando Ferrer still leads, but it's anyone game. And if you're not registered to vote, do so now! more ›

The hits keep coming for former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer: City Councilman Charles Barrons says Ferrer should get out of the mayoral race and support Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia's Field mayoral bid. Barron says Ferrer is "free-falling and it's not going to stop." For his part, Ferrer says he has a right to run. And, Gothamist would imagine, a right to lose. But things aren't that cheery for Ferrer, not to mention the other Democratic challengers. There's a NY Times article about NYC Democrats hoping for a stronger candidate to emerge from somewhere else (Al Sharpton! Bill Clinton!), followed by an item on how mustaches aren't taken very seriously:

Indeed, in some political circles, Mr. Ferrer is being compared to Groucho Marx and some consultants are saying that the real lessons that he should absorb from the recent win of the clean-shaven Antonio Villaraigosa in Los Angeles are his grooming habits.

After Los Angeles Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa beat incumbent James Hahn to become the first Hispanic mayor of Los Angeles, the NY Times looks at the how Fernando Ferrer's aides hope to replicate that kind of success come the city's mayoral election this November. Still reeling from his remarks about the Amadou Diallo shooting, Ferrer finds himself struggling, and the NY Times article suggests that the Latino support he would need to win the Mayoral election (let alone the primary) is not very strong. We don't know that much about Villaraigosa's platform, but Gothamist is curious whether he'll extend some cross-country support for any NYC Democrats...perhaps it's more likely after the primary. more ›